22051 Wilson Road • Georgetown, Delaware 19947 • Phone 302-856-3300 • Fax 302-856-1750
A Message From Our Head of School
Welcome to The Jefferson School website! For nearly two decades, The Jefferson School has been dedicated to developing well-rounded, socially responsible, and globally aware individuals with the knowledge, character and passion needed to fulfill their dreams and ambitions.
The Jefferson School's teaching strategies are based on the belief that learners have power over their learning. Knowledge and understanding are acquired through active exploration. Instead of just listening, reading, and completing one-size-fits-all exercises, students investigate, discuss, and question. They are encouraged to follow their interests and teachers are willing to allow this to happen. Curriculum is designed around exploring big ideas, not small bits of information taught in isolation. The thought-provoking, student-centered classroom challenges children in ways that foster self-motivation, self-confidence, and self-discipline.
Basic academic skills are emphasized and integrated along with positive experiences in music, art, Spanish, physical education, and health. We are a school where individual differences are respected, welcomed, and valued. Our 8th graders leave us with the skills to do well in any environment they choose and are reported to be proactive and confident high school students.
We invite you to schedule time to come and experience for yourself The Jefferson School. Our approach doesn't just work, it works well. You can see the results every day in every classroom. Come visit and Discover the Difference.
Please check our home page for Open House dates, or call for a personal tour.
Sincerely,
Connie Hendricks
Head of School
The Jefferson School Vision
The Jefferson School will be recognized as a healthy, strong and vibrant learning community — one committed to a progressive educational philosophy — that develops well-rounded, socially responsible, and globally aware individuals with the knowledge, character, and passion needed to fulfill their dreams and ambitions.
The Jefferson School Mission & Philosophy
The Jefferson School is an independent, coeducational day school founded on the belief that a traditional liberal arts and science curriculum, coupled with small classes and an exceptional faculty, offers the basis for excellent education. The school, which seeks a diverse, multicultural student body, strives to offer an innovative academic program designed to foster an enthusiasm for learning and an atmosphere of academic excellence. The enriched curriculum is structured to provide the flexibility necessary to develop the full potential of each child. It emphasizes a mastery of basic academic skills and positive experiences in music, fine arts, science, computer literacy and physical education.
Children are challenged in ways that foster self-motivation, self-confidence and self-discipline. The school recognizes what is special in each child and provides each one the nurturing that gives a sense of self-worth. Students develop within a caring, academic community where people strive to interact with responsibility, honesty and sensitivity, developing an awareness of the needs and rights of others.
The Jefferson School seeks to stimulate intellectual curiosity, academic performance and social commitment. Basic skills are emphasized and integrated with analytical and creative problem-solving skills so that students are prepared to succeed in their education and to live successfully in a rapidly changing society.
The Jefferson Values
Our values determine how we relate to each other, how we make decisions and how we engage our students in learning. The great American leader and former president, Thomas Jefferson, inspired The Jefferson School values. He explored possibilities without constraining thought. He championed independence. He was a life-long learner, and created educational opportunities for others. He studied many cultures, opening himself to philosophies beyond his own.
We embrace Thomas Jefferson’s perspective that for our children “we must lead where we can, follow where we cannot, but still go with them, watching always for the favorable moment to help them take another step.”
A Child’s Perspective: Children see the world in exceptional ways. They bring their own interests, feelings and beliefs to the classroom each day. We approach school with the notion that the student’s perspective is an integral part of what they learn and how they learn.
The Whole Child: We treasure the unique cognitive, physical, social and emotional domain of each child. We believe that successful individuals integrate a variety of intelligences into their lives. Thus we emphasize the process of learning to foster all aspects of the student’s development.
Independent Thinking: It is through opening our minds to all possibilities that we draw conclusions and make decisions critically and creatively. We form perspectives and opinions not just based upon what others say, but also through our experiences and observations.
Respect: We show consideration and appreciation for each other, the environment and ourselves. We honor the diverse cultures within the school community and beyond. We recognize that through open dialogue we can learn from one another, and our differences will enrich the school experience.
Social Responsibility: As citizens we are committed to the local and global community. We are a model for our students of what it means to help others and to be accountable to one another and the world we live in.
Trust: We rely on each other for the school’s success and strive for open and honest communication. We are confident in the staff’s expertise and expect our students to take ownership of their learning. We count on our families and our leadership to support the school’s educational philosophy.
Enthusiasm: We believe passion and energy serve as the backbone for effective learning. As a school community, we pursue activities and initiatives with gusto, accepting challenges and savoring our achievements.
Excellence: We strive to be the best at what we do in teaching, in learning and in relating to each other. We recognize that through dedicated effort we will each achieve our greatest potential.
